Couple sentenced for health care fraud

Prosecutors say James and Cynthia Hood, of North Oaks, made false statements in order to receive county, state and federal benefits and assistance for their disabled children.

Authorities say the Hoods received hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical assistance payments, despite a family net worth in the millions. Sixty-nine-year-old James Hood has been sentenced to 3½ years in prison and ordered to pay a $200,000 fine on mail fraud, health care fraud and theft of public money.

Fifty-five-year-old Cynthia Hood was ordered to serve 3 years of probation and pay a $300,000 fine. The Hoods were also ordered Monday to pay about $480,000 in restitution. Prosecutors say they did not object to probation for Cynthia Hood because of her role in caring for her two children.